Theo Walcott brought to an end 12 years at Arsenal on Wednesday by completing a £20 million move to Everton.

His departure has been a long time coming, in truth. Out of favour and out of form, the Englishman struggled for game time this season under Arsene Wenger.

With Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette the favoured attacking trio, Walcott was resigned to only playing in the Europa League and English cup competitions.

"For whatever reason it didn't happen this year and that's why I've moved on," said Walcott.

"I've known him (Wenger) since I was 16 and to bring in a young player and have belief in them I can't thank him enough for that.

"With any player if you are not playing you are going to be upset but I've always had so much respect for the manager.

"When you look at the minutes this season I've played I wasn't part of it so it was just getting the timing right.

"As a personal footballing career decision I felt it was time now. It happened so quickly. There is no point in dwelling on the past."

Joining Everton gives Walcott the chance to reignite his stalling career and perhaps even fight his way back into the England set up.

Arsenal fans have all wished him the best at Goodison Park, but there was something rather heartbreaking about the manner of his exit.

Walcott has revealed how he didn't get the chance to say goodbye to his Arsenal teammates and had to leave with his belongings in bin bags. Talk about an underwhelming climax.

"When I found [out] I was coming here (Everton) I had to go there (Arsenal's training ground) at night and pick up all my stuff in bin bags," said the winger.

"I will at some point go back and say my proper goodbyes but we do play them very soon, which I am looking forward to."

How sad is that? Walcott failed to reach his full potential at Arsenal, but he guided them to three FA Cups and scored over 100 goals - he deserved better.

But as the Englishman rightly pointed out, Everton face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on February 3, where he will hopefully be given a hero's welcome on his return.